Printing press



June 15, 1937. Q A MEISEL' 2,084,281

PRINTING PRESS C. A. MEISEL PRINTING PRESSv `une 15, 1937.

Filed Aug. 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 7gg f June l5, 1937.4

c. A. Ml-:lsEL 2,084,281

PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 10, 1935 s sheets-sheet s dii/12,54@

June. l5, 1937. Q A MEISEL 2,084,281

PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 10, 1935 8 Sheebs-Shee'I `4 PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 10, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIIIIHIII IIIIIII Il I 3o FZ@ Cavies uz's el, yy/a/ fw fg@ Ma v dii/Zig@ C, A. MEISEL PRINTING PRESS June l5, 1937.

Filed Aug. l0, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 C. A. MEISEL -PRINTING PRESS June 1.5, 193 '-7.

Filed Aug. 10, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 l LS. y

`lune l5, 1937.

C. A. MEISEL PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 1o, 1935 s sheets-sheet a Patented June 15, 1937 anni PRNTKNG PRESS Charles A. Meisel, Milton, Mass., assigner to Maisel Press lil/.lanciacturirigV Company, Boston,

Mass., a corporation i Massachusetts Application August 10, 1935, Serial No. 35,656

19 Claims.

This invention relates to multi-impression rotary printing presses, and while various features of the invention are of more general utility, the specific application thereof shown by Way of eX- ample in the accompanying drawings is t0 a multi-couple web press specifically designed for printing multi-colored labels, so-called French edge labels, which may be embossed, and which are cut from the web as by means of a die forming part of the last printing surface. At the present time such labels are commonly printed on a rubber blanket by means'of bed and platen presses at comparatively low speed. Herein I provide a high speed rotary press for 1B performing the Work embodying various features of convenience and eiiiciency as will appear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein;-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the press;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section along a line corresponding to a portion 'of the pathof the web through the couples and disclosing parts in end elevation as seen from the right ofFig. 2;

' Fig. 4 is a similar View with parts in ya different position of adjustment; Y

Fig. 5 is a partial transverse section along a radial line through one of the printing couples; Fig. 6 is a'vertical section through the driving means for the impression cylinder as seen atY the right of Fig. 5 and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 7 is a similar section on a horizontal plane with the parts in a different position;

435 Fig. 8 is an end View of the support for the im pression cylinder as seen from the left of Fig. 5

i but with parts omitted;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the central portion of the press;

,49 Fig. V10l is an enlarged detail of the gearing for actuating the throw-off mechanism which appears in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan section of the same; Fig. 12 is a vertical section on line I2`I2 of Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elevation of parts shown in Fig. 12;

y Fig. 14 is a section on the line I-M of Fig.

13; and

Fig. 15 is a section on the line l5-I5 of Fig. 12. Referring now to Fig. 2, the press shown is organized on a longitudinally extending frame 20 which may be supported from the base plate 22 by Ymeans of the gussets 24.- In contrast with the 55 usual machine in which the parts areorganized between two side frames of substantially similar construction, this single frame is the primary support.V of the mechanism and as such the ma chine may be characterized as Yhaving a substantially single frame. onthe frame in overhung relation in a circular series and carriages 28 which support plate cyl- Y inders 39 and suitable inking mechanism 32 are Brackets 2t are mountedV adapted to be moved in and out along these brackets to adjustV the plate cylinders Vradially of the circle. I have deemed it unnecessary toV illustrate and describe the details of the parts carried by the .carriages as these may be of any usual or suitable construction.

Extending from the frame 2G, as perhaps best seen in Fig. 5, is a central stationary shaft 34 of a length roughly twice the width of the print-` ing mechanisms of the press. The outer end of this shaft may rest (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) in a pedestal 3B which, as clearly seen from Fig. 2, is of restricted size so as to leave the nearer ends of the cylinders and the space within the same substantially unobstructed by frame parts. Mounted on this shaft (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) is a subfrarne 33 on which are supported, herein by means more fully to be hereinafter described and in radial planes corresponding to the planes of the plate cylinders 39, impression lcylinders fili. The sub-frame 38 (Fig. 5) may be splined to'shaft 3d by means of the key 42 and is engaged by screw M journalled in pedestal 36 and adapted to be driven through gears t by means-of a hand crank applied to hub 8. By means of this the sub-frame 38 with the impression cylinders may be withdrawn to the left in Figs. 3 and 4V .f

from the position in the former gure, in which the impression cylinders and the plate cylinders oppose each other, to the position of Fig. 4 wherein the impression cylinders areexposed at the side of the press; This renders the cylinders particularly accessible for changing or for purposes of make-ready and provides for other advantages which will appear as the description proceeds.

When the sub-frame 38 is in the position of Fig. 3 and the press in condition for running I may provide a support for the outer ends thereof, here illustrated (see Figs. 2 and 9) as consisting of three rotary lugs or latches 59 on certain of the brackets 28 adapted to be turned to enter suitable recesses 52 provided in the sub-frame, as best illustrated at the right of Fig. 9. The brackets and the sub-frame thus give one anothera mutual centralizing support and the legs 59 also maintain the sub-frame 38 in its innery position.

2 Referring to Fig. 5, the Vcylinders of the press are driven from a main drive gear 54 meshing with planet pinions 56 secured to the shafts 58 of the plate cylinders 30. These'shafts also carry-inwardly of frame 20 pinions 60 associated with bearers 6| which respectively drive pinions 52 and cooperate with bearers 63, both on shafts 64 journalled in the frame 20 and from which the impression cylinders are adapted to be driven. To permit the movement of the impression cylinders axiallyy as hereinbeiore described, their connec- (Fig. 6) working in a slot 'l2 (Fig. 12) inV clutch member 62 holds the two members 68 and 06 together whilepermitting their relative movement lengthwise of key 61. The other face of clutch member S8 is provided with a diametral slot I3 adapted to receive a key 'I4 secured to the endof shaft 'l5 of the impression cylinder.

` pin 'i3 projecting frornthe clutch member may enter a bore in the shaft, as best seen from `Eig. 7, to guide the-parts. When the sub-frame 38 with the impression cylinder on its shaft V'I6 is moved toward the left, viewing Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the shaft may move away from its fixed driving connection, as illustrated in Fig. 7, but when returned is clutched thereto so that the cylinders of the printingcouple rotate in unison in the ordinary manner. An eccentrically positioned pin 'I9 (Fig. 6) carried by one of the parts 58 and 16 and entering an opening in the other provides for the connection of these two parts in the proper 'angular position as otherwise it wouldA be possible to engage the parts in two diierent positions 180 apart. The keys and SiV have a certain freedom of ymovement in their slots providing for a slight disalignment of the parts, Ythe connection being essentially what is known as an Oldham coupling. In the operating position of the cylinders an annular bearer disc on the impression cylinder may be received in a groove 82 on a bearer disc at the inner end of the plate cylinder, maintaining the aligned positionr of the two cylinders, and this engagement may `bereleased when it is desired to withdraw the frame 30 of the` impression cylinders either by tripping the latter inwardly in the manner hereinafter described or by retracting the plate cylinders radially outward. Y

Inthe printingV processA for which the press illustrated is especially intended the printing-is effected against a rubber blanket B (Figs. 1 and 2) which is trained as an endless belt through the couples and it will be apparent that the unobstructed opening `at the fro-nt side of the press, viewing Fig- 2, due to the overhung mounting of the parts and the movable mounting of the irnpression meohanism carried by sub-frame 38 facilitates the introduction of this blanket. The blanket is of considerable length and'v is here shown as trained through the Aseveral couples and around Vvarious guide rollers not necessary to specically identify and as looped back and forth around stationary rollers 84 and rollers 85 mounted on an adjustably movable frame (Fig. 2) and over a dance roll 88. The `adjustment of the frame-carrying rollers 86 through a given dis- Ar central ofhin the present instance, slack in six times greater amount, while the dance roll keeps the` blanket taut. The pedestal 3S, as best'shown in Figs, Il and 5, may be provided withV amovable gate 89 to permit theinsertio'n ofthe endless blanket in encircling relation about shaft 34.

To provide for the positioning of the blanket with the impression mechanism withdrawn and to support it in its approximate path through the printing couples when the impression mechanism is withdrawn for any reason I may provide between the successive couples (Figs. 1, 3, 4 andr15) supports in the formof posts 90pr0jecting in overhung relation from bases 92 mounted to slide (Figs. 12 to 14') in substantially'radial ways 94 mounted at the inner side of frame 20.. The bases 92 are formed with rack teeth with which mesh pinions 95 on pinion shafts 98 projecting through the frame where they carry at the rear vside thereof pinions 00 adapted-to mesh with .a central gear |02.` For rotating gear |02 a gear |04V (Figs. 12 and 3) may be provided which has a shaft |06 (Figs. 3 and 15) projecting to the nearer side of the press where it is'provided with an actuating handle |08. Gear |04 may be turned by means of this handle and the supporting posts 90k recip- Y rocated back and forth across the lines connecting the bites of the successivev printing couples. Thus in the full line position of Fig. 2 the `blanket B` extends outwardly of these supports. They may, however, beshifted tothe dotted line position carrying the blanket with them and taking up on the dance roll 88. The impression cylinders may now be drawn inwardly and moved outward from their position within the plate cylinders and the blanket will be maintained in position ready to receive the impression mechanism again within its circuit. Also in the preliminary positioning or replacement of the blanket it may be trained over these supportsand movedy out of the way in such manner as to permit the insertion within thesame ofthe impression mechanism.` Y

The web Aof paper W (Fig. 1) passes through the printingv couplesin the usual manner. In the case of labels, as herein described, during or at the end V*of thel printing operation the,k

printed areas are died out from the sheet, leaving a web of scrap as in la sheet of cooky dough.

` In this operation the cut-out portions are pressed against and adhere to the blanket B.Y The 4main body of the web, that is, the sheet of scrap, may

Y be `diverted over the guideroll I0 to a feeding out belt l |2 and in the machine shownis chopped up along transverse lines by means of suitable cutting mechanism (not shown) carried onshaft ||4 and delivered to the rapidly running, transversely located conveyor belt ||6 (Figi 2) to be disposed of.V VThe blanket B with :the adhering cut-out portions freed from thev sheet ofrscrap continues in a different path and is bent sharply on itself about a suitable guide'edge IIB 'and serves todisengage the' labels Ytherefrom sol that they drop to table |20 withwhich isfassociated a feeding out belt |22, all mountedona verti'-` cally adjustable Vframe |24. (Fig. 2) adapted to be raised or lowered by the hand wheel |26, this mechanism providing for the delivery of the produ ct of the machine. -f

I will now describe the mechanism for tripping .theirnpression cylinders, referring more particularly to Figs, 5, 8 and 9.l The yokes |28 in which the boxes |30 in which the shafts 'I6 of the impression cylinders are journalled and in which they areV retained by the 'latches |32 movein ing with segment gears |48 formed on shaft 2,084,281 isuitable radial openings in the'sub-frame 28 and. printing@cylinders or tobe positioned outwardlyy are secured by a dovetailed connection |34 (Fig. 8). to an underlying support comprising an upper portion |36 and a lower portion |38 (Fig. 8),

'themselves connected by a .dovetailed connection which, as best shown in Fig. 5, extends in ak plane at an angle to the axial line of the cylinder. An adjusting screw |45 provides for longitudinally vmoving member |36 and thus provides for a fixed radial adjustment of the impression cylinder. The major or throw-off movement of the cylinder is effected by moving the. support consisting of the two parts .|36 and |38 bodily in and out to carry with it the yoke |30( For this purpose the part |38 has pivoted at either end thereof links |42, the inner ends of which are connected vto discs |44 mounted for rotation within the subframe and provided (see Figs. and 1l) with gear teeth |46 along a segment thereof cooperatwhich carries gear |52 operated through a suit- "able gear train from handle |54; Handle |54jmay be provided with suitable latching Vmeans to permit it to be maintained in one Vor another -position on .oppositesides of the pins |56 projecting from' locking disc |58 mounted on the side of the sub-frame 38.v It will be apparent, referring to Fig. 9, that if the handle |54 is moved to the right in Vthat figure, the'disc |44 will rotate counterclockwise, the outer ends of the links |42 will be drawn inwardly and the various impression cylinders 40 will be simultaneously and equally drawn radially inward to separate the same from the plate cylinders. The range 'of movement is indicated in Fig. 10 by the opening Iil in disc |46 which provides for the passage vof screw 44. Y

I am aware that the invention may be em- VYbodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, Y

and I therefore desire the present embodiment to :be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive; reference being had-to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention..

I claim: f

.1. A multi-impression rotary press comprising av substantially single frame, brackets overhung therefrom and carrying a number of printing lcylinders grouped about a center and each adjustable substantially radially to and from said center, an impression mechanism centrally arranged within the set of printing cylinders, the parts being exposedv at the side remote from the frame.

2. A multi-impression rotary press comprising a substantially single frame, brackets overhung therefrom and carrying a number of printing cylinders grouped about a center and each adjustable substantially radially to and from said center, a shaft extending from said frame and beyond the printing cylinders, an impression mechanism carried by the shaft and movable therealong alternatively to cooperate with the printing cylinders or to be positioned outwardly beyond the same.

3. A multi-impression rotary press comprising a substantially single frame, brackets overhung therefrom and carrying a number of printing cylinders grouped about a center and each adjustable substantially radially to and from said Y center, a shaft extending from said frame and beyond the same, and'movablek abutments carried by thevidistal ends of at least certain ofsaid brackets adjustable toengage thev distal portion of the impression mechanism Yin its inner position to contribute to the support of the same. f4. 'A multi-impression rotary press comprising a substantially single frame, circularly arranged brackets overhung therefrom" land carrying radially adjustable printing cylinders, a centrall shaft extendingfrom theframe, a post supporting the outer-end of the shaft and anrimpression mechanism 'carried by the shaft, said post Vbeing ,out of alignment with the printing-cylinders radially adjustable printing cylinders,V a centralshaft extending fromthe' frame and beyondthe printing cylinders, a post supporting the vouter end of the shaft and an impression mechanism carried by the shaft and movable therealong -to permit it to be positioned outwardly beyond the printing cylinders, said post being out of alignment withfthe prmting cylinders whereby the parts are substantially*unobstructed at the side iremote" from the frame.

r 65A multi-couple'rotary press comprising a circularly arranged series of plate cylinders; a central shaft extending at one side beyond'the -plate cylinders, a frame carrying impression vcylindersland movable alongthe shaft to expose the latter cylinders away from the platercylinders.`

7. A multi-couple rotary press comp-rising 'a circularly arranged series of plate cylinders, Ya central shaftex-tending at'one Yside beyond the plate cylinders, a frame carrying impression cylinders and movable along the shaft to expose ythe latter cylinders away from the plate cylinders and driving means for the cylinders at the opposite end 'thereof including'a clutch connection for the yimpression cylinders separable and engage-able on the longitudinal movement ofthe frame. Y

8. A multi-couple rotary press comprisingl a circularly arrangediseries of plate cylinders, a

Vcentral shaft extending at one side beyond the plate cylinders, a frame carrying impression cylinders and movable along the shaftV to expose the latter cylinders away from the platecylinders and driving means for the cylinders at the Vopposite end thereofv including a clutch connection for the impression cylinders separable and engageable on the longitudinal movement of the frame, the drive to said impression cylinders being through Oldham couplings or their equivalent.

9. A multi-couple rotary press comprising a, circularly arrangedseries of plate cylinders, a Icentral shaft extending at one side beyond the plate cylinders, a frame` carrying impression cylinders and movable along theV shaft to expose the Vlatter cylinders away from the plate cylinders and driving means for the cylinders at the opposite end thereof including a clutch connection for the impression cylinders separable :and engageable on the longitudinal movement of the frame and means for latching said frame in -its inward position.

10. A rotary press of the class described comprising a frame, platecylinders mounted in overhung relation therefrom, cooperating impression cylinders, the contact lines of the couples being unobstructed by frame parts at their distal ends,

press comprising Y 4 v :an endless blanket and means for positioning the same to circulate through the press.

.11. A rotary press of the class described comprising asubstantially .Y single frame, plate 15 cylinders overhung therefrom, a framework carrying cooperating impression cylinders havingk Y mountings so constructed and arranged as to permit them to be withdrawn away fromV the frame to a positionL out of line with Vthe plate cylinders,

10 anendless blanket trained through the`couples, and supports between the couples adjustablel across the lines of connection between thecouples Vand providing for the support ofthe blanket when the framework is withdrawn.

15 12. A rotary press of the class described coniprising a substantially single frame, plate cylinders overhung therefrom, a framework carrying cooperating impression cylinders having mountingssoconstructed and arranged as to permit them .20 to be withdrawn away from the frame Yto a position out of line with the plate cylinders, an endless blanket trained'through the couples, sup-- ports extending in overhanging relation from the frame between the couples, and 'means operable '25 from a single actuating device at the side of the pressy remote from the frame for simultaneously moving the supports across the lines of connecv tionbetween the couples. 7 f

13, A multi-couple rotary press of theV class .30A described comprising a clrcularly disposed series '40 tion between the couples and providing for the support of the blanket when the framework is withdrawn.

'14. A multi-couple rotary pressiof theclass described comprising a circularly disposed series 45 of plate cylinders and means for supporting them dening an interior space substantially unobstructed at one side, a central framework carrying cooperating impression cylinders so constructed and arranged Vas to permit them to beL 50 withdrawn vtoward said side from between the kplate cylinders, stripping means for moving the impression cylinders in and out Ven the framework, an endless blanket trained through the couples, and supports between the couples adjustablei across the lines of connection between the couples and providing for the support/of the blanket when the framework is withdrawn.

15.7A. multi-couple rotary press comprising a 'n frame, supports for a circularly arranged series of plate cylinders carried thereby, thereV being a substantiallyunobstructed opening from one side of the press to the space between said plate cylinders, and a framework carrying cooperating impression,cylindcrsmovable axially in and outv fromy said opening. i Y s A16..A.multicouple rotary press comprising a frame, supports for a clrcularly arranged series Y of plate cylinders carried thereby, there being a substantially unobstructed ,Opening from one side of the pressrto thespace between said plate cylinders; a central shaft extending from the other or further side of the press, aframework carrying cooperating impression cylinders movableA along the shaft in and out-from said opening, and

means carried by Ysaid supports adjustable t'o` engage the nearerrend of said framework in its",V

inner position to aid in supporting it.

17. A multi-couple rotary press 'comprising a frame, supports for a circularly arranged series of plate cylinders ycarried thereby, there being a substantially unobstructed opening from kone v t side-of the press toi'the space between said plate cylinders, an endless blanket, and means Vfor training it throughthe couples comprisingsupfports extending in overhanging relation from the other lor further side of the press, means for moving the supports in and out across the lines connecting the points of contact of the couples, and f a framework carrying cooperating impression cylinders movable iny and kout from said opening. Y

18. A multi-couple rotary printing press'com'- prising a central framework, supports occupying positions thereiny corresponding to elements of a cylinder, boxes carried thereby,'impres,sion cyl'-v inders mounted in the boxes,` a central ring; links securedk 'to said l supportsand ring, and means for rotating the ring to trip the cylinders.

19. A multi-couple rotary printing press comprising a centralv framework, supports occupying positionstherein corresponding to elements of aV cylinder, .boxes carried thereby, impressiony cylinders mounted in the boxes, said supports each being divided along a plane oblique. to the cylinder axis, means for. shifting one of the Vparts :longitudinally for adjusting the cylinder, vand means for .shifting thesupport radially to 'trip the cylinder.

.CHARLES A. MEIsEL. 

